Deepavali: light up inner self

Scriptures say when one surrenders to Perumal in all humility, He negates all the negative actions of one until that time. Festivals celebrating the fall of asuras and their subsequent liberation illustrate this aspect admirably. Many asuras undertook severe penance and prayed to the Almighty seeking boons, which finally were the catalyst to their downfall. Dharma will always prevail, as will total surrender to God without seeking anything in return, an aspect underscored in the Bhagavad Gita.

Deepavali, the festival of lights celebrating the fall of the Narakasura underscores this perfectly, said Damal S. Ramakrishnan. Deepavali is a festival of lights, not merely of the exterior landscape, but more importantly of one’s inner self. The legend of Narakasura is a well-known one.

Born as the son of Bhoo Devi, Narakasura undertook severe penance and was granted the boon that he sought, which was that none barring his mother could kill him. Like most asuras, after gaining the boon, he unleashed a series of atrocities that affected all living things.